Method and system for transmitting and receiving messages

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided to enable real-time communication with people, groups and devices in accordance with certain embodiments. Typically, a phone number, address, or login information (“traditional identification information”) is needed to initiate a communication with a specific person. However, there are many situations where this traditional identification information is not known, but individuals still wish to communicate with others whose traditional identification information they do not know. By selecting criteria such as geographical location information that is proximate to the device, a person can identify and communicate with others while not knowing their contact information. The criteria can also include attributes, visual information, or other characteristics of the target device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/287,330, entitled “CommunicationMethods between, among and to Unknown Wireless and other Devices, andMarketing and Sales Methods to and from Wireless and other Devices,”filed Dec. 17, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/408,021, entitled “Method and System for Transmitting and ReceivingMessages,” filed Oct. 29, 2010, each of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to a system and method fortransmitting and receiving messages among mobile and other devices in acommunication network.

BACKGROUND

Wireless networks are telecommunications networks that use radio wavesto carry information between nodes in the network. Cellular telephony ischaracterized by the use of radio cells that provide radio coverage fora geographic area, with multiple cells arranged to provide contiguousradio coverage over a larger area. Wired communication can also be usedin portions of a wireless network, such as between cells or accesspoints. The wireless networks allow mobile devices to move and changelocations, while maintaining a connection with the network. Thisconnection allows information to be sent and received with the mobiledevices communicating with the wireless network.

These traditional voice telephony and more recent electronic privatecommunications methods have shared a common limiting characteristic:their effectiveness has been limited to communication between knownparties or among known, fixed endpoints. That is, a person that wants tocommunicate with another needs to know information such as a telephonenumber, email address, or other information in order to initiatecommunication with that person. Internet bulletin boards, chat rooms,blogs and micro-blogs have enabled a broader reach through more publicpostings, but lack the capability to direct private communications tocertain individuals or groups, such as (i) observed but unknown people;(ii) people at a designated location or locale; and (iii) groups ofunknown people with identified attributes.

These historic communications methods and more recent Internet-based andGPS-based applications are based on the premise that directed privatecommunications are only possible or feasible between, among and to knownfixed endpoints. Social networking and other recent interactive mediaare also limited by their inability to provide a means in real-time tobring such people together in person.

SUMMARY

A first embodiment provides people with the ability to communicate withpeople they do not know through enabling the real-time, directed andtargeted delivery of messages and other communications beyond knownfixed endpoints, and thus overcomes the limitations of currentcommunications methods. An example of this embodiment for use inwireless and other devices is where a participant wants to direct inreal-time a targeted message to another person whom s/he can see butdoes not know; to a group of people (again whom s/he does not know) in acertain specific locale or within a specified geographic range ordistance; or to a group of people (also whom s/he does not know) withcommon attributes.

A second disclosed embodiment relates to creating and providing peoplewith the ability to direct targeted marketing and sales programs,processes and techniques to known and unknown people through enablingthe delivery, exchange, tracking and analysis of messages, promotionsand other communications beyond known fixed endpoints, and thusovercomes the foregoing limitations of current methods used to market toand via wireless, mobile and other devices.

A third embodiment relates to creating and providing the users ofwireless, mobile and other devices with the ability to redeem promotionsand makes purchases using such devices, and thus overcomes the foregoinglimitations of current methods used to offer promotions to and procuresales from wireless and other devices.

In some embodiments a method of selectively communicating with one ormore other devices whose identification information is unknown isdisclosed, the method comprising launching a client application on adevice, wherein the client application enables communication with otherdevices whose identification information is unknown, locating otherdevices in a defined geographical zone proximate to the device using theclient application; obtaining information regarding the other deviceslocated in the defined geographical zone; compiling the informationregarding the other devices located in the defined geographical zone toenable selection of at least one device to initiate communication usingservice messages; displaying a selection of the at least one device fromthe compiled information of the other devices located in the definedgeographical zone; enabling privacy preferences for the device, whereinthe privacy preferences enable the device to provide variableidentification information to the at least one other device; enablingthe client application on the device to specify whether a servicemessage is a private service message, wherein the private servicemessage is sent only to the at least one other device; and sending theservice message from the device to the at least one other device.

In some embodiments a method of selectively communicating with one ormore other devices whose identification information is unknown isdisclosed, the method comprising launching a client application on adevice, wherein the client application enables communication with otherdevices whose identification information is unknown; identifying otherdevices based on selected criteria specified in the client application;receiving information regarding the other devices possessing theselected criteria; compiling the information regarding the other devicespossessing the selected criteria; displaying a selection from thecompiled information of at least one other device possessing theselected criteria; enabling privacy preferences for the device, whereinthe privacy preferences enable the device to provide variableidentification information to the at least one other device; enablingthe client application on the device to specify whether a message is aprivate message, wherein the private message is sent only to theselected at least one other device; and sending the message from thedevice to the selected at least one other device.

In some embodiments a device for selectively communicating with one ormore other devices whose identification information is unknown, thedevice comprising an interface that is configured to communicate withthe one or more other devices and a client application that isconfigured to communicate with the interface to search for at least oneof the one or more other devices based on selected criteria specified inthe client application and to compile information obtained from the oneor more other devices, the client application further configured to senda message to one or more other devices selected from the compiledinformation, and to enable privacy preferences for the device, whereinthe privacy preferences enable the device to provide variableidentification information to the at least one other device as well asto enable the client application to specify whether a message is aprivate message, wherein the private message is sent only to theselected at least one other device.

In some embodiments a method of selectively communicating betweendevices when identification information used to contact a device isunknown, the method comprising receiving, at a remote processing server,registration information from a first device; creating useridentification information for the first device and associating the useridentification information with the registration information;determining criteria for the first device and associating the criteriain the database with the user identification information of the firstdevice; receiving, at the remote processing server, a secondregistration from at least one other device; organizing information fromthe first device and the at least one other device in a database on theremote processing server; determining criteria for the at least oneother device and storing in the database; receiving a service message,at the remote processing server, from the first device, wherein theservice message comprises content and user identification information;searching the database using the criteria selected by the first deviceto locate at least one other device that is within parameters specifiedby the first device; obtaining information for the at least one otherdevice and processing the service message to send to the at least oneother device; and sending a processed service message including thecontent of the service message to the at least one other device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a communication network that provides communicationto recipients whose traditional identification information is unknown inaccordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates multiple communication networks that providecommunication to recipients whose traditional identification informationis unknown in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates messaging between mobile nodes where identificationinformation is unknown in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a logical diagram of a remote processing server inaccordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a logical diagram of a mobile node in accordance withcertain embodiments;

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E illustrate flow diagrams of socialmessaging at a mobile node in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of social messaging at a remoteprocessing server in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 8 illustrates a view of social messaging and broadcast messaging ona mobile node in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates social messaging to in-zone users from a mobile nodeusing location information in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 10 illustrates social messaging to in-zone users from a mobile nodeusing compass and location information in accordance with certainembodiments;

FIG. 11 illustrates directed social messaging to in-zone users from amobile node using location information and other information inaccordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 12 illustrates directed social messaging to in-zone users from amobile node using location information, compass, and other informationin accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 13 illustrates a messaging diagram illustrating a marketing andsales function in accordance with certain embodiments; and

FIG. 14 illustrates a process flow of target marketing in accordancewith certain embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided to enable real-timecommunication with people, groups and devices in accordance with certainembodiments. Typically, a phone number, address, or login information(“traditional identification information”) is needed to initiate acommunication with a specific person. For example, to call a person youdial a phone number; to text a person you need their mobile phonenumber; to send an instant message, you need their email address, or aspecific screen name or alias registered with the maker of an instantmessaging application (e.g., Google Talk; AOL AIM); to email a personyou need an email address; and for web-based social sites orapplications. You need to know a user's name or login information tocommunicate with them. However, there are many situations where thistraditional identification information is not known, but individualsstill wish to communicate with others whose traditional identificationinformation they do not know. For example, at a conference a person maywant to communicate with or meet others at the conference, but does notknow other peoples' phone numbers or emails. Another instance could beat an event such as a concert, sporting venue, or some charity functionwhere a person wants to communicate with one or more persons at theevent. In order to provide this type of communication among and withpeople, groups, and devices whose traditional identification informationis unknown, various systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed.

FIG. 1 illustrates a communication network that provides communicationto recipients whose traditional identification information is unknown inaccordance with certain embodiments. The communication network 100 ofFIG. 1 includes a mobile node (MN) 102, a transceiver 104, an accessgateway 106, a remote processing server (RPS) 108, a carrier network110, a packet gateway 112, an accounting, authentication, andauthorization (AAA) server 114, an IP core network 116, a legacytelephone network 118, a landline phone 120, and an Internet connecteddevice 122. The mobile node can be any type of wireless device such as amobile phone, smart phone, notebook, netbook, tablet computer, or otherwireless communication device. The mobile node provides a user withapplications and communicates with other people and devices using thecommunication network 100. The mobile node 102 can be configured withGlobal Positioning System (“GPS”) capabilities to receive geocodeinformation from GPS satellites. The GPS capability can be implementedusing a locational software application based on the Global PositioningSystem (“GPS”). The mobile node can further include a digital compassthat provides the user direction information based on the relativepositions of the sending and receiving mobile nodes. A mobile nodeincluding both GPS and a compass can be used to further specify howmessaging is communicated in the system.

The transceiver 104 includes a number of devices that transmit andreceive wireless communications using radio waves. These transceivers104 enable mobile nodes 102 to communicate wirelessly with thecommunication network. The transceivers 104 include a radio accessnetwork (RAN) in a cellular radio network, a WiFi hotspot/WiMax basestation, or a Femto access point. The RAN can include an eNodeB (eNB), anodeB (NB), or a base transceiver station (BTS), for example. A WiFitransceiver can provide a wireless local area network (WLAN) connectionusing, for example, an 802.11 protocol. A WiMax transceiver can alsoprovide a high speed wireless LAN capability over a larger distance thana WiFi transceiver. A Femto access point provides a cellular radioaccess network transceiver over a small area, such as a home, andconnects with the network over a broadband connection. A Femto accesspoint can be used to provide wireless cellular network coverage in areaslacking coverage.

An access gateway 106 provides connectivity between the transceivers 104and the communication network. The access gateway 106 can manageconnections and communication with and among mobile nodes 102, mobilityaspects of mobile nodes 102 such as handoffs, paging, and other mobilityevents, transceiver 104 selection, and can provide a connection to thecarrier network 110. In some embodiments, the access gateway 106 can beprovided using one or more other devices such as a serving gateway(SGW), serving GPRS support node (SGSN), packet data serving node(PDSN), a mobility management entity (MME), or any other device. Thecarrier network 110 provides connectivity back to the core network suchas the Internet. The carrier network 110 can be an IP packet basednetwork with a collection of routers to move packet based communicationsoriginating from the core network, mobile nodes, or other endpointdevices.

The carrier network 110 connects the packet gateway 112 to the accessgateway 106. The packet gateway 112 can provide an anchor functionalityand accounting functionality for packet based communications in thecommunication network and serves as a gateway for access to theInternet. The packet gateway 112 anchor functionality provides a fixedreference point for contacting and locating a mobile node 102, which canmove among transceivers 104. The packet gateway 112 can also providebilling and accounting functions and assist in authenticating mobiledevices before allowing them access to the network. Some packet gateways112 can also assign addressing information so that the mobile node canbegin a communication session with the communication network.

The AAA server 114 includes accounting and authentication informationfor mobile nodes. The AAA server 114 can track usage of the mobile nodeto later provide billing for usage and can store mobile node subscriberinformation such as the subscriber identity module (SIM) information,international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI), or identity informationused to link mobile node 102 specific identity information withsubscriber profile information. The subscriber profile information caninclude an IP address and other information. In some embodiments, thepacket gateway 112 includes subscriber profile information such as IPaddress, location information, and status that can be used to initiatecommunication with a device.

The IP core network 116 can provide IP packet based communication tovarious servers and other networks. The IP core network 116 can be theInternet that allows various content servers, application servers, andother Internet connected network devices to communicate with one anotherand also to mobile nodes 102 through the communication network 100. Theremote processing server (RPS) 108 can communicate through the IP corenetwork 116 to send messages and data to mobile nodes 102 and devicessuch as a landline phone 120 and an Internet connected device 122. Thesedevices can include mobile nodes, Internet Protocol (IP) enabled phones,phones on the plain old telephone service (POTS), computers, Internetenabled TVs, video game systems, Internet enabled appliances, carentertainment systems, and airline entertainment systems. The remoteprocessing server 108 is a server that manages information regardingmobile node 102 users and devices, and messages sent between them, inorder and communicates with mobile node 102 users and also networkdevices in communication network 100 to obtain additional informationabout mobile node 102 users. The remote processing server 108 organizesthis information and analyzes the information in order to makeconnections and/or communicate among users or devices. By compilinginformation about user devices, such as mobile node 102, a landlinephone 120, and an Internet connected device 122, the remote processingserver 108 can use algorithms to determine user devices that meetcriteria to send a message from an initiating user device to one or morereceiving user devices.

FIG. 2 illustrates multiple communication networks that providecommunication to recipients whose traditional identification informationis unknown in accordance with certain embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2,messaging can occur between networks of different service providers. Insome embodiments, a first service provider can operate and controlnetwork 1 that includes transceivers 104, access gateway 106, carriernetwork 110, and packet gateway 112, while a second service provideroperates and controls network 2 that includes transceivers 204, accessgateway 206, carrier network 210, and packet gateway 212. The componentsof network 2 including transceivers 204, access gateway 206, carriernetwork 210, and packet gateway 212 can provide the same or similarfunctionality as described for their counterparts in network 1, namelytransceivers 104, access gateway 106, carrier network 110, and packetgateway 112. In some embodiments, the radio access technology can differbetween the first network and the second network. For example, the radiotechnology in network 1 can be CDMA based, while the radio technology innetwork 2 is based on 4G (LTE) or UMTS. The technology presented hereincan be independent of service providers and the protocols or radioaccess technologies used by the service provides. As such, an AT&TiPhone (e.g., mobile node 102 a) can communicate with a VerizonBlackberry device (e.g., mobile node 202) in some embodiments. Mobilenodes can also communicate with both mobile nodes on their network andother networks. For example, mobile node 102 a can communicate withmobile node 102 b and mobile node 202.

FIG. 2 also illustrates how more than one remote processing server maybe used in certain embodiments. Remote processing servers can beprovisioned based on loading conditions as well as geographic distance.For example, remote processing server 108 can have a capacity of acertain number of mobile node users, such as 100,000. When this capacityis exceeded, then performance begins to degrade. The capacity of eachprocessing server can also differ depending on the hardware, such asprocessing speed, of each individual remote processing server. However,additional remote processing servers can be provisioned to handle theadditional load. For example, remote processing servers 108 and 208 canbe used to handle incoming mobile node user requests. In someembodiments, remote processing servers 108 and 208 can be co-located ina geographic area. In other embodiments, each remote processing serveris located in a different geographic region. For example, remoteprocessing server 108 can be located in Boston and serving the Bostonregion, while remote processing server 208 can be located in New YorkCity and serving the NY metropolitan area.

Remote processing server 108 can work with multiple networks and handlemobile node user requests from the same or different radio accesstechnologies. For example, remote processing server 108 can handle arequest from mobile node 102 a and send messages to mobile nodes ofmultiple networks, such as mobile node 102 b and 202. As such, remoteprocessing servers are independent of both the technology used in thenetwork and the different networks. The remote processing server canoperate across different technologies and networks by using higher levelprotocols that are common across different technologies and networkproviders. In some embodiments, the XMPP protocol can be used to providemessaging to users and receiving messaging from users. Remote processingservers can share database information amongst one another in someembodiments. For example, if remote processing server 108 receives anupdate to its database, it can propagate this update to other remoteprocessing servers such as RPS 208 in order to maintain a commondatabase amongst the remote processing servers.

In other embodiments, information can be stored in remote processingservers based on geographic areas. These geographic areas can be brokeninto cells like a radio transmission network and each remote processingserver can be assigned one or more cells to handle. The remoteprocessing servers can then synchronize on the basis of the geographicregions that each are handling. For example, remote processing server108 and remote processing server 208 can synchronize on the geographicalregions where they overlap. The cell divisions or geographic regions canalso be used to determine how user requests are directed to remoteprocessing servers. In some embodiments, the remote processing serversinclude geographic information such as geocode information that can beused by each remote processing server to determine if it should handlean incoming request. The geocode information can also be used in makinga decision at a first remote processing server to forward a request to asecond remote processing server. The geocode information can be used inconjunction with real time load information in order to dynamicallychange the remote processing server that is handling certain requests.

An ad server 117 can communicate with one or more remote processingservers. In some embodiments, the ad server 117 can be implemented onthe same device as remote processing server 108. The ad server 117 canbe used to communicate messages to one or more mobile or wired-devicenodes. The messages can be communicated across networks implementingdifferent technologies and across different network operators. Ad server117 also provides an interface for communicating with users. The userscan be mobile nodes 102 and 202, for example. The interface can be aportal to access the ad server such as a web-based portal where a personsuch as an advertiser can log into the system to upload content, sendmessages, and view statistical information regarding prior activitiessuch as messaging users in the system. The ad server can also trackactivities of people who log into ad server 117 for accounting andbilling purposes.

FIG. 2 can further be used to describe the operation of one embodiment.The mobile node 102 (e.g., an iPhone) or other wireless device downloadsa software client application (sometimes referred to as a “client app”)from a server, such as RPS 108, or a server maintained by an independentdistributor of software applications, such as the Apple App Store. RPS108 or the independent distributor can provide the software clientapplication through an interface, such as a website on the Internet 116.In some embodiments, the client application can come embedded asfirmware in the mobile node, as software already installed by the devicemanufacturer, distributor or vendor in the mobile node 102, ordownloaded onto a personal computer, laptop, netbook, telephone, orother device using an internet connection. After installing the clientapplication, the user can enroll mobile node 102 by running the clientapplication. The client application solicits personal information (suchas the individual's name, e-mail and password data) and/or mobile nodeinformation (such as a device phone number). Once the user completes theenrollment of the mobile node, the mobile node can communicate thisinformation to register itself with the remote processing server 108.

Other users would follow a similar process to download the clientapplication to their respective enabled devices (e.g., MN 202), and toenroll those mobile nodes with the server (e.g., RPS 108). Theseenrolled users can be considered service users with those service userswho have their client app running at any given time considered an activeservice user. The remote processing server 108 maintains a continuouslyupdated database of registered devices including mobile nodes andservice users. This database can be referred to as a service book, insome embodiments. The service book can be maintained on a secure server(e.g., RPS 108) that includes connectivity to a network. Thisconnectivity includes an Internet connection to IP core network 116,which provides connectivity to at least carrier network 1.Alternatively, the remote processing server can be connected to a publicswitched telephone network (PSTN) and through the PSTN connect to eitherthe IP core network 116 or to a registered device.

Using features of the client app, service users can configure theirregistered device to send and receive service messages, such as socialmessages. The service message sent from the client application on themobile node to the remote processing server can include messagesettings, message information, and content information. The contentinformation includes voice, text, photo, video, or other message. Theservice message information includes information about the mobile nodeand the service user such as the phone number or other identifyinginformation of the mobile node and service user. The service messageinformation is used by the remote processing server to locate theservice user, which is then used in determining to whom the message issent from the remote processing server. The service message settingsinclude instructions of how the remote processing server is to handlethe service message.

The service message settings can include a number of parameters such asdirection of phone, directional range, distance based on location,distance range, type of message, and/or characteristics of intendedreceiver. One or more of these parameters can then be used by the remoteprocessing server to determine which mobile nodes receive the servicemessage. For example, a service user can communicate with other serviceusers who are located within the select parameters of the messagesettings included in the message sent from the service user's device tothe remote processing server. The service message settings define a zonethat can be determined using the parameters of the message setting withan algorithm on the remote processing server. For example, the zone isdetermined using the geocode location of the sending mobile node withthe distance parameters (e.g., 800 feet) to draw a zone around theservice user. Other service users that are located within the zone arein-zone users (IZU). Service users can initiate a communication usingany media (voice, text, photo, video, music, etc.) with such otherin-zone users. In some embodiments, the communication would be an shortmessage service (SMS) message or other text message inputted into theclient application.

The service messages can also be sent to other service users regardlessof their location or to a combination of in-zone users and otherspecified users. The service message can indicate this information tothe remote processing server so that the remote processing server cansend the message to the specified users and the in-zone users. Thespecified users can be members of specified groups, such as friends,running team, or coworkers, for example. The type of message canindicate that the service message is for service users with specifiedinterests. In these cases, the type of message can be used tocommunicate to a subset of people within a certain geographical range.These can include activities or interests, for example, running,volunteer work, tour groups, or other services. For example, an employercan use the service to communicate with nearby employees to sendlocation based messages, a community group can use the service to sendmessages to volunteers working on a project, single women can messagesingle guys at an event, or even police officers can use the service tocommunicate directly either with nearby officers or with firstresponders from fire, homeland security, medical or other agencies.

The groups can be managed and configured on the remote processingserver. The groups can also be used to send a message to a specifiedsubset of service users. The messaging can be sent to members in a groupthat are in-zone users. The groups can be configured such thatmembership is open to any service user who wishes to join, membership islimited, or membership is closed. If membership is limited, then aservice user needs to provide challenge information, such as a passwordto be added to a group. In a closed membership group, onlyadministrators of the group can add or remove group members.

Upon receiving the service message at the remote processing server 108from the mobile node 102, the remote processing server can use theservice book and the server database to authenticate the mobile node andthe sender's credentials. This can include comparing the service messageagainst data in the service book and confirming that the service messagehas been sent from a service user, that the identity information of theservice user is valid, and that the message settings are proper. Theremote processing server can store the identity of the sender, themessage settings, and information regarding the sending mobile node.

The remote processing server can remove or strip from the servicemessage the message information in order to maintain the privacy andanonymity of the sender. These privacy settings can be user selected andmanaged on per-recipient level using the client application. Forexample, the setting can be set so that the remote processing serverwould send the service message without stripping all of the messageinformation when sending to in-zone users and/or group users. Servicemessages that include some or all of the message information can bereferred to as public messages in some embodiments. The informationstripped from the service message can include the phone number of thesender's device and any other device information revealing the identityof the sender's mobile node. The remote processing server can then add aspecific tag identifying the stripped message to the processing server.The tag can be in memory or a database along with the associated messageinformation. This association allows the remote processing server toidentify the sender and the original service message prior to beingstripped of identifying information through the tag. The tag can berandomly generated to make it non-traceable. The tagged message can thenbe sent from the remote processing server to the in-zone users or groupusers specified in the sender's service message.

The service messages sent from the remote processing server may becalled processed service messages (PSM) in some embodiments. Theprocessing server can then send the processed service message to in-zoneusers and/or group users. Using a feature of the client app, in-zoneusers or group user mobile nodes would receive the processed servicemessage and determine how to handle the processed service message. Theclient application can display the content of the PSM on the device,display an alert that a PSM was received, store the PSM for lateralerting the service user, or discard the service message. The clientapplication of the receiving mobile node can allow the service user toconfigure filters that define how and when inbound messages aredisplayed to the service user based on one or more parameters. Theseparameters can include time of day, message sender, type of message, andgeographical information.

Using a feature of the client app, each PSM recipient has severaloptions for responding to the PSM. These options include ignoring thesender and the current PSM, blocking the sender and future PSMs from thesender, responding to the sender via a reply message, or responding tothe sender and the other in-zone users or group users via a replyservice message. The PSM recipient as a sender of a service message,including a reply service message, can select whether the servicemessage is sent via a public message or a tagged message. The PSMrecipient can also use the client application to identify particularsenders using a nickname or handle and can mark any specified sender asa buddy, from whom they elect to receive or be alerted to future servicemessages using specialized criteria. Using features of the client appand the remote processing server, in-zone users or group users wouldthen have the ability to carry on new or continued communications withthe caller and other in-zone users or group users via tagged or publicmessages. The service message sender and PSM recipient may,respectively, each ask the other to disclose her/his name, phone numberand/or other identifying information, and if they do so, they maycontinue to communicate via the service and/or other traditionalcommunications methods.

The remote processing server can allow conditions to be placed on howservice messages are handled. These conditions can be set based onservice user specifications and/or operator's specifications. Theservice conditions can include locational or duration limits on theservice message's availability, such as the following: (i) in the caseof in-zone users, as long as the pertinent in-zone user devices remainwithin the zone, and (ii) in the case of group users, as long as thecommunications transpire within a limited period of time specified bythe pertinent group users, which can be a dedicated session in someembodiments.

In some embodiments, service users can send a service message after theyhave left a zone or discontinued a dedicated session to send servicemessages both to service users with whom they have previously sent orreceived a PSM, regardless of whether such service user remains in-zonein the original location or has discontinued a dedicated session. Theclient application and remote processing server can also be used to senda voice communications as a PSM (“voice PSM”) to targeted in-zone usersor group users.

In one embodiment where voice PSMs are provided, either the App on thedevice detects, collects and sends the mobile phone number of the user'sdevice to the RPS, or the user types her device phone number into aregistration field at the time of registration, or at a later time, whenupdating her user profile page. The RPSS can retrieve the user's mobilephone number from the user's registration data or user profile, and thenrecords and stores the mobile phone number in the User Book and theService Book. Then rather than typing in a text message into the textfield, the user can tap a voice button at the bottom of the client appmessage screen, and a new screen pops up that includes a start button, astop button, a replay button, a delete button, a volume meter, and asend button. To record a voice message, the user can press the startbutton, and start talking to record the voice message. While speaking,she may observe the volume meter to identify whether she is speakingloudly enough for a clear recording. When finished, she will press thestop button. To replay the message, the user touches the replay button,and listens to the message. If she is not satisfied with the message,she may tap the delete button and then repeat the process. If she issatisfied with the recording, she sends the message by tapping the sendbutton.

The user may elect either: to listen to the voice PSM by tapping softlyon the message alert on the client app message screen in order tohighlight that message, and then taps on the listen button at the bottomof the message screen; or to retrieve the voice PSM as a text message,and read the content of the message when displayed as text in themessage screen. Recorded messages can be transmitted using IP Telephonyand either the IP address or MAC address of the device phone, andrecorded by the RPSS. Real-time voice communications can be completedvia either the public switched-telephone network (and using the actualtelephone numbers of either or both mobile devices on the call, asprovided by the users during registration with the PoKos service oradded to their user settings post-registration), or using VOIP and theIP address of the device phone

The recipients of the voice PSMs can receive the incoming voice PSMs asa traditional voice communication, display the content of the voice PSMas a text message, or receive an alert that a voice PSM has beenreceived. If the recipient receives the voice PSM as a traditional voicecommunication then it is received by the mobile node as a regular phonecall and the recipient can either answer it with live interactive voicecommunication with the sender or direct it to voicemail. Each voice PSMrecipient can respond using the same response options as described abovefor a regular PSM. A service user can also initiate a PSM forcommunication, in whole or in part, of data, video, photos, voice, text,or some other combination of media. This may be referred to ascommunications PSMs (CPSMs) in some embodiments.

The client application can also be downloaded and installed on othernon-mobile devices. In some embodiments, the client application forcomputers is different from the client application for mobile nodes. Forexample, the computer client application can have options that are notnecessary for a mobile node because it is not mobile and may not haveGPS information at its disposal. The computer client application canstill be used to send service messages to other service users. In someembodiments, geocode information can be calculated based on the addressof the property or other information; a postal service zip code;telecommunications area codes or LATAs; and be used as the locationinformation. In other embodiments, associational information can bebased on IP addresses; domain information; or Internet Service Providerinformation. In this fashion, a service user on his computer can receivein-zone service messages from other system users. This can be useful tocorrespond with neighbors and find out about things going on in thearea. In certain embodiments, the computer client application can sendor receive service messages just like a mobile node client application.The computer client application can also be used, as described furtherbelow, for sending messages to service users meeting certain criteria.For example, the service user can send and receive service messages notonly from and to a registered mobile node but more broadly from or toany computer or other device running a client app and enrolled with theremote processing server. In one embodiment, at the bottom of the clientapp message screen, the user can tap the “file” button, and then tap andhighlight from a pop-up menu list either “photo”, “video” or “other”,and then make choices from the devices file hierarchy list by tapping ona series of two or more folders and files until she identifies thephoto, video, or other file she wants to send, and then highlights thatfile, and tap “okay.”

In certain embodiments, the remote processing server can send servicemessages to mobile nodes that are not running the client application.The remote processing server can detect mobile nodes based on locationinformation provided by the device. In some embodiments, this locationinformation is provided by the device to any request for locationinformation. The remote processing service can use an active discoveryor a passive discovery mechanism to detect mobile nodes that includelocation based information. The active discovery mechanism works bypinging mobile nodes to get location based information. This locationbased information can then be stored in a database at the remoteprocessing server and correlated with other data. In a passive discoverymechanism, the server detects phones that contact the server and providelocation based information. In some embodiments, mobile nodes maysupport service messaging without the installation of a clientapplication. These mobile nodes may natively support service messagingwith the operating system of the phone or with a combination orpre-packaged hardware or software. In these embodiments, the mobile nodecontacting the remote processing server can allow the remote processingserver to register the device.

In yet other embodiments, a device can have a client app installed onthe device and use the client app without registering the device withthe RPS. The client application can include the ability to use the PoKosservice on any device that already has the PoKos technologypre-installed as software or firmware (such firmware or software herein,the PoKos technology), so that the PoKos technology enabled device evenwithout registration with the service provider can send any type ofservice message to a device that is either in-zone or is part of apre-defined group as described herein. In order to provide service to anunregistered device, the PoKos technology in each device can detect itslocation, using latitude/longitude data retrieved by GPS software andhardware running on the device, and also its internet protocol (IP)address and/or Media Access Control (MAC) address, and auto-transmit allsuch identifying information to the RPSS. The RPSS would retrieve suchidentifying information in the header or the body of all messages sentfrom the device, and maintain and update such identifying information inthe User Book and the Service Book. The user of a device can send andreceive service messages with other enabled or registered devices thatare included in the RPSS.

In some embodiments, a user can program the device to send and receiveservice messages with designated other devices, without humanintervention, at set time or times, and from time to time; upon theoccurrence of specified conditions; and/or the failure to occur of otherconditions; with the result that such automated device to devicecommunications occur whenever and wherever desired.

In some embodiments, the ability to communicate with any device or groupof devices that meet the specified filter criteria and are connected tothe global communications network without the need for those devices tobe registered or enabled devices. In this case the RPS determines thetarget set of devices by accessing the distributed global database ofthe global communications network through an API (rather than its ownUser Book) and then by determining the set of devices whose currentcharacteristics of location, type, etc. meet the relevant filtercriteria. The RPS can separate out the devices into categories and thensend the messages as described herein. For example, registered devicescan be handled by the RPS as other registered devices. Those devices whoare not registered devices but are enabled with PoKos technologyinstalled can receive communications if the RPSS includes theirinformation. For those devices who are neither registered nor enableddevices can receive the communications via their existing IM clientsalong with invitation and instructions on how to become a registered orenabled device. These devices could also receive the messages throughexisting networks technologies such as short message service (SMS),multimedia messaging service (MMS), voice communications, web pages, orany other applicable technology.

Once a mobile node or other device has been entered into the remoteprocessing server's database, then it can receive service messages. Themessages can be group user or in-zone user service messages, where theremote processing server directs such service message to such recipientdevices based on the server's detection, retrieval and analysis of GPSdata and/or other device identifying information of each recipientdevice, including without limitation the recipient device's internetprotocol (IP) address and/or Media Access Control (MAC) address. Inother embodiments, a client app on the sending device, using Bluetooth,infrared or other wireless communications technologies, detects,retrieves and analyses such identifying information on each recipientdevice.

FIG. 3 illustrates messaging between mobile nodes where identificationinformation is unknown in accordance with certain embodiments. FIG. 3includes an originating mobile node 102, a remote processing server 108,and a destination mobile node 202. As shown, various types of messagescan be communicated between mobile node 102 to remote processing server108 as well as between mobile node 202 and remote processing server 108.

FIG. 4 illustrates a logical diagram of a remote processing server inaccordance with certain embodiments. Remote processing server 108 caninclude a number of components to provide social messaging and otherfunctionalities. The remote processing server includes remote processingserver software 300, a service book 302, a social messaging database302, a session controller 304, an interface module 306, an interface310, a processor 320, and a memory 321. The interface can include aphysical connection with the network through a port. The port caninclude an optical or electrical communication interface to provideinformation received to the remote processing server. The interfacemodule 306 can be used to send and receive extensible messaging andpresence protocol messages with other devices on the network.

The remote processing server can operate securely to provide thecommunications, data processing and data storage services used toimplement social messaging and other services. The remote processingserver maintains an Internet connection through interface 310, andthrough the IP connection, indirect connectivity (operated andmaintained by the telecom carriers) to the Public Switched TelephoneNetwork (PSTN), and to the wireless networks. The wireless networks canbe maintained by telecommunications carriers licensed by the FCC, suchas AT&T, to transmit voice and data between and among mobile nodes,including iPhones.

The RPS uses connectivity to the wireless networks to transmit datamessages to and from mobile nodes including iPhones using communicationsprotocols such as Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol, or XMPP, astandard open-source messaging protocol for presence and real-timecommunication, developed by the Jabber open-source community used by thecarriers and compatible with the iPhone. XMPP consists of a set of opentechnologies for instant messaging, presence, multi-party chat, voiceand video calls, collaboration, lightweight middleware, contentsyndication, and generalized routing of XML data; that was originallydeveloped in the Jabber open-source community to provide an open,secure, spam-free, decentralized alternative to closed instant messagingservices. Communication protocols other than XMPP can be used in someembodiments. This can include proprietary messaging and other presenceprotocols and services. Also other device/user identificationinformation can used in place of JID such as device unique deviceidentifier (UDID), machine access control identifiers (MAC address),email address and mobile phone number, for example.

The remote processing server software 300 can be stored in memory 321and run on processor 320. The remote processing server software 300maintains and accesses a user book. The remote processing serversoftware 300 can also update the user book with information receivedregarding registrations and from other remote processing servers andother network devices. The user book includes a list of mobile nodesthat have registered and downloaded the client application and updatedregistration information received from each mobile node. The RPSsoftware also maintains a service book. This service book can beco-located in the database of the user book. The service book associateswith each registered mobile node information such as user preferencesfor handling and transmission/receipt of personal and commercialmessages. The RPS also maintains in memory 321, which can be implementedin random active memory (RAM) the mobile node's current/recent phonelocation. In some embodiments, the phone's current/recent phone locationmay be stored in the service book.

The client application can receive location information regarding thephysical location of the mobile node. This location information can beupdated when the location of the mobile node changes. The clientapplication, in some embodiments, can receive notifications from themobile node operating system when the location has changed. The RPS canreceive a Personal Eventing Protocol (PEP) message as an XMPP extension,where the message includes the new location identified by latitude andlongitude values. Upon receipt of the updated location information atthe RPS, the RPS performs calculations to determine if the mobile nodemoved within range or out of range of specified Target Areas and sendany appropriate SPAR and Event updates. Upon receipt of the updatedlocation, the RPS stores the new location for the mobile node in memory321 or a database 302, which can be queried later for processing of chatmessages or broadcast messages.

In calculating the distance/range information, the remote processingserver software can calculate the distance between two points. The twopoints can be the geocode information of the sending mobile node and thegeocode information of a second mobile node. Each point can be thelocation of a mobile node in the RPS user book. If that range is lessthan the message-sending radius, then the message is sent to thosemobile nodes. If the range is more than the message-sending radius, thenthe mobile node is ignored and no message is sent; unless the sender hasindicated that she wants to send the message to a particular person withknown contact information.

When directing messages based on directional data, the client app usesthe mobile device's digital compass to determine a relative compassbearing vis-à-vis the location of the sender's mobile device. Thesender's mobile device transmits its geocode information and suchcompass bearing data along with the sender's message as an optionalmessage parameter. When the remote processing server receives thedirectional data it projects out a circular sector, or cone-shaped area,defined as follows: (a) the apex (/vertex) of which is the sender'slocation; (b) the direction of the radii (/lateral surface) as definedby the compass heading and pre-defined central angle between radii(/lateral surfaces); and (c) the plane base of which is the distancespecified in the sender's message (or, if the sender's messageidentifies a distance range, the arc (or conical cap) of which isspecified as an additional area bounded by extending the radii (/lateralsurface) to the maximum distance range selected in the sender's messageand projecting an arc from the end of one extended radius (/lateralbase) to the other). The remote processing server software then comparesthe locations of each mobile device in the RPS User Book, and if thelocation of those other mobile devices lies within such cone-shapedarea, then the message is sent to such phones. If the mobile device liesoutside this area, then the mobile node is ignored and no message issent.

In some embodiments, the remote processing server can provide eligibleuser information back to the user that is sending a message. Thiseligible user information can report the number of matches that weremade using the parameters selected by the user. For example, the remoteprocessing server can indicate to the user through the clientapplication that the message will reach three users if sent by the user.The user can use this eligible user information to determine if he wantsto initiate the sending of a message. In some cases, the remoteprocessing server may ask the user to change the parameters to cut downon the number of users that will be messaged or to increase the numberof users that will be messaged. The latter can occur if no users arefound using the parameters specified by the user.

FIG. 5 illustrates a logical diagram of a mobile node in accordance withcertain embodiments. Mobile node 102 can include a number of componentsto implement social messaging and other functionalities. The mobile nodeincludes a client application module 400, a messages module 402, a buddylist 402, a session controller 404, an interface module 406, aninterface 410, a processor 420, and a memory 421.

The mobile node described above can communicate with a plurality ofradio access networks using a plurality of access technologies and withwired communication networks. The mobile node can be a smart phoneoffering advanced capabilities such as word processing, web browsing,gaming, e-book capabilities, an operating system, and a full keyboard.The mobile node may run an operating system such as Symbian OS, iPhoneOS, RIM's Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Linux, Palm WebOS, and Android.The screen may be a touch screen that can be used to input data to themobile device and the screen can be used instead of the full keyboard.The mobile node may have the capability to run applications orcommunicate with applications that are provided by servers in thecommunication network. The mobile node can receive updates and otherinformation from these applications on the network.

The mobile node can also keep global positioning coordinates, profileinformation, or other location information in its stack or memory. Themobile node memory 421 can be implemented as a computer readable medium,flash memory, a magnetic disk drive, an optical drive, random accessmemory (RAM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), and/or a read-onlymemory (ROM). The mobile node can be configured with one or moreprocessors that process instructions and run software that may be storedin memory. The processor 420 can also communicate with the memory 421and interfaces to communicate with other devices. The processor can beany applicable processor such as a system-on-a-chip that combines a CPU,an application processor, and flash memory. The interfaces can beimplemented in hardware or software. The interfaces can be used toreceive both data and control information from the network as well aslocal sources, such as a remote control to a television. The mobile nodecan also provide a variety of user interfaces such as a keyboard, atouch screen, a trackball, a touch pad, and/or a mouse. The mobile nodemay also include speakers and a display device in some embodiments.

The client application running on the mobile node can receive locationupdates through the location service features of the mobile node. Incertain embodiments, the client app registers with the iPhone OperatingSystem (IOS) to receive location updates via the Location Servicesfeature of the iPhone. If Location Services is currently disabled, theuser will be presented a dialog that asks them to enable LocationServices (“LS”) and allow the client application to determine theirlocation. If LS is already enabled, the user is only asked to allow theclient application to determine their location. If the user declines toenable LS or allow the client application to determine the location ofthe mobile node, then the client app will display a message notifyingthe user than they can use the client app to IM with people they know,until they enable LS or otherwise provide location information.

The client app will receive notifications from the IOS when/if thelocation has changed, at which time the client app constructs a PEP,Personal Eventing Protocol an XMPP extension, message consisting oftheir new location identified by latitude and longitude values and sendsthis message to the RPS.

FIGS. 6A-6E illustrate flow diagrams of implementations of socialmessaging in accordance with certain embodiments. FIG. 6E describesinstalling a client application on a mobile node in 681, registering themobile node with the remote processing server in 682, determining theage of the user in 683, making sure that location services is enabledalong with GPS in 685, configuring options for using the clientapplication in 686, setting inbound message controls and setting upbuddies and contacts in the client application in 687, and read andreply to service messages received at the client application on themobile node in 688.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of social messaging at a remoteprocessing server in accordance with certain embodiments. FIG. 7describes deploying software on a server in 700, receiving aregistration of a user in 701, analyzing the registration information in702, determining the age in 703, associating the user name with otherinformation in a user book and maintaining a service book in 705,receive and store location information from client applications in 706,analyze, process, and store message settings, attributes, and otherinformation on a per message and per mobile node basis in 707, andprocess the service messages and send to the appropriate destinations in708.

FIG. 8 illustrates a view of social messaging and broadcast messaging ona mobile node in accordance with certain embodiments. In private socialmessaging, the graphical user interface of a client application runningon an iPhone is shown. This interface allows the sending of messages togroups and unknown service users. The messaging can be used to findpeople with similar interests, such as a running buddy. In the broadcastmessaging, messages can be sent to the client application based onlocation and other information. Here a commercial message fromAmazon.com is displayed in the client application.

FIG. 9 illustrates social messaging to in-zone users from a mobile nodeusing location information in accordance with certain embodiments. Asshown, a sender can send a message to one or more other mobile nodesthat the sender does not have the contact information of or know byusing the client application. The user does this by sending a servicemessage that includes geocode or other location information along withmessage setting parameters that specify a zone 715 for communicating toother users. In FIG. 9, the parameter is a distance from the user. Theremote processing server (not shown) uses this distance information andthe location of the sender to calculate those users that fall theseparameters. For example, if the sender specifies that a distance of 800feet, then the remote processing server determines that only certaindevices fall within this distance of the user and those users areincluded in the zone.

FIG. 10 illustrates social messaging to in-zone users from a mobile nodeusing compass and location information in accordance with certainembodiments. As shown, additional parameter information can be used tofurther specify the users that receive messages such as directioninformation. This direction information can be obtained by a compass insome embodiments. The compass in combination with a distance parameterallow for sending the message to a subset of service users within thezone 715.

FIG. 11 illustrates directed social messaging to in-zone users from amobile node using location information and other information inaccordance with certain embodiments. As shown, directed messaging caninclude messaging certain specific users in a zone 715. This directedmessaging can work based on filters or other attributes in addition toother information. In some embodiments, the user's mobile node mayutilize short-range wireless technologies such as bluetooth to directlydetect identifying information about the target mobile node. Thisidentifying information, while not enough to directly communicate tothat mobile node, can be used to communicate through the remoteprocessing server. The identifying information can include the MACaddress, the IMSI, the TMSI, the SIM, the IMEI, or the MEID of themobile node. This identifying information can be sent to the remoteprocessing server to determine if the user is a user with a user name.

This exchange can occur when a user points her phone at the intendedrecipient and taps send on the client application. The clientapplication causes the user's phone to transmit a Bluetooth signal tothe intended recipient's mobile node. The identifying information can betypical information included in a Bluetooth response message or can besent by the client application running on the recipient's mobile node.In the latter case, if the recipient mobile node is running an activeregistered version of the client application, then the clientapplication sends identifying information back to the other user'sclient application. This identifying information is then communicatedback to the remote processing server so communication between the one ormore users can be initiated.

In certain embodiments, the client application using infrared,short-range wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, and/or Wi-Fitechnologies can be used to directly communicate messages between themobile nodes. The can occur, in one embodiment, when a lightweightserver functionality is embedded on the mobile node. The lightweightserver functionality can perform some aspects of the processing andcommunicate with the RPS for database information. Once the contactinformation is obtained, then the user desiring to message a personin-Zone may send the messages directly to this mobile node bypassing theRPS.

FIG. 12 illustrates directed social messaging to in-zone users from amobile node using location information, compass, and other informationin accordance with certain embodiments. As shown, filter information canbe used in conjunction direction information and location information todirect messages to specific users. For example, the user in FIG. 12 candesire to talk to users who are single women and that are in the area.Here filters can be used to target users that are within a specifieddistance of the sender of the message. In FIG. 12, the directioninformation limits the number of users and then filter information isused to make a final selection among the users to target the messagemore specifically.

iPhone Embodiment

The features of social messaging can be provided on an Apple iPhone. Inorder to download the client application, the user opens the Apple Appstore on the iPhone. This can be done by tapping on the App Store iconon home screen of iPhone or opening a Safari web browser by tappingSafari icon on iPhone web screen typing in the browser URL bar thedesired address for downloading the application. On another device suchas a laptop/desktop, the client application can be downloaded bynavigating to App Store download, or another website to download thesoftware. The user then connects her iPhone with her laptop/desktop withher iPhone cable, waits for the iPhone to auto-sync with iTunes; as theresult of which syncing the client app is installed on her iPhone, andthe client application icon auto-appears on one of the iPhone extendedhome screens. The user can then proceed through steps 1 through 5 below.

STEP 1: On her laptop/desktop, user opens her web browser, and visitsApple App Store online, and then In search field of App Store, usertypes in “PoKos” and taps “enter” key on the iPhone keyboard, proceedsthrough steps 3-5 then syncs the iPhone with iTunes as described above.

STEP 2: With the web browser open on her iPhone or laptop/desktop, theuser sees the PoKos icon either on the PoKos website or on anindependent website, and either:

-   if on her iPhone, proceeds with Steps 4-5 below, or-   if on her laptop/desktop, proceeds first with steps 4-5, then syncs    the iPhone with iTunes as described above.

STEP 3: iPhone screen displays PoKos page, including an icon fordownloading PoKos software application, product information, anddownload data.

STEP 4: In order to download the PoKos software, the user taps the‘free’ button alongside the PoKos icon, and the letters on the buttonchange to “install”.

STEP 5: User taps the “install” button, and the App Store then transmitsthe PoKos client application either directly to the user's iPhone, ifthe App Store is being accessed from an iPhone (with transmission insuch case occurring wirelessly over 3G or wi-fi enabled network to theuser's iPhone, using the user's phone's IP address to identify the phoneand direct the transmission to that phone); or first to the user'slaptop/desktop, and then syncs to the user's iPhone as described above.

The client application (PoKos App) auto-installs on the user's iPhone,and the PoKos icon appears on one of the user's iPhone's extended homescreens. The user then taps on the PoKos icon displayed on an extendediPhone home screen and types in his/her user name (also known as JabberID address) of a current Instant Messaging (“IM”) application being usedby the user on her iPhone, or requests a new user name as her Jabber IDaddress. The IM Jabber ID (“JID”) includes the iPhone user's usernameand the resource they are currently logged in from, which might have aprotocol such as ‘[first name]@domain.com/iphone’, if connected by aniPhone, or if connected via desktop IM application such as Pidgin app:‘[first name]@domain.com/pidgin’. This JID is then sent to the “XMPPserver” of the third-party operating the IM service, which routes themessage to the PoKos remote processing servers (RPS). In someembodiments, communication protocols other than XMPP and device/useridentification numbers other than JID can be used.

When the user taps on PoKos icon displayed on iPhone's extended homescreens, the iPhone screen opens and displays either a registrationpage, if the user has not previously registered, or a Login screen, ifshe already has registered. In order to use the PoKos App, the userregisters the App by completing three data fields, typing in her desireduser name and password, and typing in her age. The PoKos registrationpage also displays additional data fields for the user's email address,city, state, and gender, any one or all of which the user may elect tocomplete or leave blank. The user can also designate their emailaddress, city, state, gender and age to be private in which case thePoKos server will not share with other parties. The default is privateand each field can be set independently. The user the taps the registerbutton at the bottom of the registration page on the iPhone. If the agefield contains a value ≧18, the PoKos App transmits the registrationdata to the PoKos RPS. If the age field is blank or contain a value ≦18,the PoKos application displays a new screen on the iPhone with aninstruction that the user must be 18 or older, or her parent or guardianof legal age, to complete the registration process.

Remote processing server software (RPSS) correlates user's iPhone JIDaddress, user name, password, age (and any other optional data alsotransmitted) with a new user account that the RPSS creates and maintainsin a database on the RPS, for example a user book. RPSS checks theuser-selected user name against third-party user names in the RPS UserBook. If no there is no conflict, the remote processing server acceptsthe user name, establishes a new user account in the RPS User Book as aconfirmed account, and stores that user's registration data in the RPSBook associated with that confirmed account. If there is a conflict, theRPS identifies other similar user names not associated with athird-party confirmed account in the RPS Book, by appending a numericsuffix to the requested user name, and transmits two or more suchavailable appended names to the user's iPhone by sending thetransmission to the JID associated with the user's iPhone. On theiPhone's PoKos registration page, user sees a message display that therequested user name is not available, and instructing the user to chooseone of the suggested appended names, or type in a new user name alltogether. The user either selects an appended name, or types in a newuser names, and then taps the okay button.

Parameters for Outbound Messages

The user can open either the PoKos App on the mobile node or herProfile/Settings on the PoKos website, and further tap/click on the tabmessage settings. In the message settings tab, the user can elect tolimit the geographic and locational range of potential recipients of anyoutbound messages. This can be performed by typing into data fields onthe settings page a specified distance and compass direction from herphone at the time she sends the message. The distance may be set infeet, fractions of a mile, or miles in some embodiments. The compassdirection may be set as an angle from the ‘straight-ahead’ directionthat the phone is pointing at the time she sends the message. In someembodiments, the user's outbound message settings may include an actualcompass heading, all compass headings within a specified range, or acombination of distance and direction(s). Rather than being a staticinstruction pre-set by the user and entered as data in a data field inthe user's configurations/settings tab, this multi-directional/rangecapability can be deployed dynamically, as the user toggles betweenradius vs. directional messaging for a given message.

The user may change the distance and direction settings for eachmessage, for a series of messages, or set it with a default setting forall messages. In some embodiments, users may be able to enter a postalzip code or address as well. Once the user selects the desired range(s)in distance and compass angle of the outbound message and types in thevalue(s) in the pertinent setting field(s), the setting can be saved andthe message can be sent. The client application then stores the settingsin memory 321 or in a database and transmits the range along with themessage text when each message is sent.

The user can configure up to three aliases that can be used when sendingmessages. These aliases can be used as their handle when sendingmessages. The default handle is the PoKos ID they used when firstregistering. The user can enter a plurality of different aliases. Whenthe aliases are entered and the user taps a submit button, the apptransmits the aliases to the server. The server then performs the samesteps as described in checking the user book to determine uniquenessamong aliases. The current selected alias can be highlighted and used asthe handle in public chat messages. The user can select a differentalias to use or select none which will default to the user's name astheir handle.

Parameters for Inbound Messages

In order to control the flow of inbound messages, the user can identifyher preferences by either opening the client application on the mobilenode or her Profile/Settings page on the PoKos website, respectively,and tap/click on the tab for message settings. A user can then elect, bypressing a “Block this Sender” button on the PoKos screen to block thecurrent and future messages from the sender of the current message.Other options can also be provided such as buttons on the iPhone screenor web page, to block inbound messages from people or companies on herblock list that she (now or previously) types into displayed data fieldon the screen or page. The client application can also enable‘whitelisting’, so that a user may limit whom she receives messagesfrom.

The whitelisting can include limits such as: (a) to receive inboundmessages only from (1) pre-existing contacts in her phone's contactlist; (2) people or companies on her approved lists that she (now orpreviously) types into displayed data fields on the iPhone screen or webpage; (b) to receive inbound messages from people/companies locatedwithin a desired range. The user can also disable location services onthe mobile node or disallow the client application from using locationservices to achieve a result similar to whitelisting because the usercan be limited to sending and receiving IMs from people she alreadyknows who are on her buddy list.

Once the user selects the desired controls for inbound messages, theclient application then auto-transmits the inbound controls over thewireless network to the RPS. The RPSS then stores those controls in theUser Book and the Service Book for the user name and JID associated withthe user's mobile node.

Including Contacts and Identifying Buddies

A user can choose to maintain a list of her friends and recent contactsas buddies for frequent or current messaging using the clientapplication by tapping on the “Friends” tab at the top (or the bottom)of the Buddy screen in the client application. Member can be added tothe list by typing in the user name or Jabber ID of the friend from hermobile node contact list. If the existing contact of the user is alreadya registered service user, the client application detects that status ofthe identified contact, and auto-populates the user's buddy list withthat contact's user name. If that existing contact is not a registeredPoKos user, the user can choose to send that contact an invite (by SMS,email, or message on a social networking site such as Facebook) todownload the client application and be added as a buddy of such user.

In certain embodiment, the user can type in the name or phone of afriend from her iPhone contact list. After receiving a process servicemessage, or PSM, the recipient can choose to designate the PSM sender asa “buddy” by tapping on the buddy button at the bottom of a PSM. Theclient application can then auto-populates the recipient's buddy listwith the PoKos username of such PSM sender. A user can choose to deleteany PoKos username from her Buddy list by highlighting such buddy's nameand tapping the radio button that says, “delete”.

Creating an Outbound Message

The user may use the client application to do one or more of thefollowing: (a) send private messages to people she already knows using aone-step process; (b) send private messages to people she doesn't knowin a multi-step process; or (c) send a public message to people with themessage range setting specified in step 3.1.4, either specifically forthat message, or by reliance on the default settings for her outboundmessages generally.

To send private messages to people she already knows, the user opens theclient application on the mobile node and identifies these people. Thiscan occur by using the buddy tab to select the buddy(ies) she wants tosend a message to or by using the contacts app on her iPhone provide thecontact's user name. This can be obtained by opening the name of thecontact on the mobile node's phone book, highlighting the contact's IMaddress (i.e., JID), touching the highlighted IM address and selecting‘copy’ from the pop-up choices displayed over the address (which copiesthe IM address on to the user's iPhone clipboard), and then reopeningthe client application to paste this information. This can beaccomplished by touching the “To” field of the PoKos message, selecting“paste” from the pop-up windows displayed. The IM address can be used toauto-fill the “To” field. After identifying the people the user knows,the user types her message into the message field and sends the message.

Sending the Outbound Message

When the client application of a sending device first connects with theRPS, it establishes a persistent connection with the RPS usingtransmission control protocol (TCP) or XMPP, for example. The mobilenode user's credentials such as username/password can be authenticatedat the time of connection establishment. All subsequent messages arethen transferred on this connection until the user logs out, after whichthe client application performs the login steps again to send additionalmessages.

RPS detects the JID and PoKos username of the intended recipients in theheader of the message, stores that data in the service book, andre-directs the message to the devices associated with each of thoseJIDs. In order to send messages to people the user does not yet know,the user starts by tapping the tab labeled PoKos Chat in the open clientapplication. From here the user can type in her message in the messagefield, select either to make her identity public or private and thenhitting send. If the user wishes to keep her identify private then thehandle by which the message is sent from can be one of herpre-configured aliases.

Processing the Outbound Message

The client application on the mobile node sends outbound messages overthe wireless network to the RPS. Sometimes this sending can be anauto-transmission of the message. When the client application of asending device first connects with the RPS, it establishes a persistentconnection with the RPS and the user is authenticated. Subsequentmessages are then transferred on this connection until the user logsout.

In preparing the message for transmission to other service users, theRPS detects from the message header the pertinent message range,direction, and/or other parameters, either chosen specifically by thesender for this message or stored in the service book as the defaultmessage range/direction for this user. The RPSS analyzes the locationinformation in the service book for active registered devices anddetermines which active devices are within the message range/directionof the pending message, that is, which users are in-zone users. The RPSthen logs and stores in a storage file called the message book in memorythe messages sent during a persistent connection, including the identityof the sender and all recipient IZUs. In another embodiment, as analternative or in addition to storage in RAM, the Message Book may beoperated and maintained in a separate database in the RPS.

If the user has selected an alias in order to preserve her anonymity andprivacy, RPS then uses the alias as the “from address” in the messagesent to intended recipients. In some embodiments, the RPS may alsopreserve the privacy and anonymity through further processing of themessage. This can include assigning distinct alphanumeric codes to eachof the sender, the message, and the different in-zone users. A specialcode or tags can be added to the header of the pending message andstored in the Message Book associated with the pending message. The RPScan also delete the phone number, user name and any other identifyinginformation (other than the Tags) from the pending message.

In the alternative, if the sender has elected to reveal her identity inthis message, the RPS modifies the FROM portion of the message tocombine both the original sending address and the user's PoKos username,with a tag to indicate this is a public chat message. A pending messageprocessed by RPS can be referred to as a Process Service Message or PSM.

Third-Party Broadcast Messages

Creating a Broadcast Message

The RPS allows registered users to communicate using service messagingto targeted service user mobile nodes. The registered users can targetboth known and unknown service users by using certain criteria to selectthe service users. Users desiring to deploy Broadcast Messaging can gainaccess to the RPS, which can be implemented on specific server(s) ordedicated portions of servers, by visiting the PoKos website andproviding their log-in credentials. A broadcast user procures log-incredentials either through electronic registration on the RPS or throughregistration offline directly with PoKos, for example. In either case,registration can include agreeing to the terms and conditions ofBroadcast Messaging, such as content approval, timing, frequency,privacy, anti-spam, user controls, and/or other restrictions prescribedby license or otherwise.

A separate database of events, gatherings or activities at specificlocations can be stored and updated on the Broadcast Servers or the RPS.After accessing the Broadcast Server, the Broadcaster selects or entersinto the display fields various data about each Event, including Eventname, street address, latitude and longitude of the Event location,start date/time and duration; the distance/range from the Event locationto which the Broadcaster desires to send Broadcast Messages (i.e., arange broader than the geographic location of the Event itself); text,graphic and other content for Event messaging to be sent by eachBroadcaster; time(s) for delivery of each Broadcast Message; and thename(s) of third-parties participating in the Event Broadcasts, such asvenue owner, Event principal(s), Event host(s), and commercial and othersponsors. This information can be stored in a database, which can bereferred to as a broadcast book. The broadcast book can further includethe data in such fields, together with the additional fields asbroadcast book entries. After completing the desired Broadcast Entriesfor each Event, the Broadcaster taps/clicks the “Okay” Button, and theBroadcast Software saves and stores the BB entries in the Broadcast Book

The Broadcast Software

The Broadcast Servers can include proprietary software that creates agraphical user interface that allows Broadcasters to type in theirdesired broadcast book entries into specified data fields, store the BBEntries in the Broadcast Book, and access BB Entries. In order to accessthe BB entries, the Broadcasters use their assigned log-in credentialsto be authenticated. In other embodiments, the Broadcast Book alsoincludes fields for the Broadcaster to add the Jabber IDs, phonenumbers, and/or email addresses of mobile phone devices previously knownor available to the Broadcaster or its agents, where the complete listof such devices can be referred to as a ListServ in some embodiments. Toenable a Broadcast Message to be sent to a targeted group of mobilephone users relating to one or more Events, a Broadcaster using theBroadcast Software gains access to its Events in the Broadcast Book andenters the desired data in each BB Entry field.

The Broadcast Software prepares a customized message for each Broadcastmessage selected by the Broadcaster to be sent both to the ListServ andto PoKos users who are within the distance/range of the Event locationspecified by the Broadcaster in its BB entry for such event (such usersherein, “In-Broadcast-Zone Users”, or “IBZUs”). The Broadcast Softwareschedules and arranges for the form, timing, appearance and transmissionof each Broadcast Message. It arranges for each message to be sent fromthe PoKos domain. The Broadcast Software arranges to include in theheader of each message both (a) the PoKos domain, as the origin of themessage (herein, the “PoKos Tag”), and the identity of the Broadcasterof each message (the “Broadcaster Tag”).

The Broadcast Software arranges for each Broadcast Message to beauto-transmitted, at the date/time specified in the BB Entries for suchEvent, over the Wireless Networks to mobile devices on the ListServand/or IBZUs specified in the BB Entries for such Event that have aregistered PoKos App (all such devices herein “Broadcast EligibleDevices”, or “BEDs”), except that no Broadcast Messages are sent tomobile devices (herein, “Broadcast-Blocked Devices”, or “BBDs”) whosepreferences/settings in the User Book have been set to indicate theirelection not to receive PoKos messaging or Broadcast Messages for suchEvent and/or from such Broadcaster (the set of BEDs less BBDs, herein,“Targeted Broadcast Devices”, or “TBDs”). The Broadcast Softwarearranges for the content and appearance of the Broadcast Message, as itwill be displayed on the mobile node screen of each TBD, to be compiled,assembled and communicated to each TBD, using standard communicationprotocols (such as XMPP), so that such content and appearance are asdesired, selected and approved by the Broadcaster

Blocking a Broadcast Message

PoKos users can at any time and from time to time (including at thebeginning or in the midst of an Event) elect to block receipt ofBroadcast Messages, either generally or from specific Broadcasters orrelating to an Event(s), by (a) in respect of a specific BroadcastMessage or alert listed on their PoKos Chat screen, by tapping on theBlock tab; or (b) in respect of other messages, by tapping on the PoKosicon on their mobile node extended home screen; by tapping on theSettings tab; by taping on the commercial Tab; by typing in the desiredrestrictions in the pertinent data fields fortime/date/location/venue/brand or Broadcaster identity; and by tappingthe “Okay” button.

The PoKos App then auto-sends these commercial settings to the PoKosuser over the Wireless Networks to the Broadcast Servers. The BroadcastSoftware then auto-enters and stores these commercial settings in aspecific segment of the Service Book for Broadcast Messages and in theBroadcast Book as BBDs in accordance with such settings. Immediatelyprior to sending out each Broadcast Message, the Broadcast Softwarereviews the list of BEDs and compares against that list any and all BBDswhose commercial settings indicate a user preference not to receive suchmessage, and after purging the BED list of such BBDs, compiles andmaintains a list of remaining devices as TBDs.

Receiving a PSM or Broadcast Message

If they have the PoKos App installed and registered on their iPhone,IZUs and users of TBDs will receive in real-time all PSMs sent from theRPS. If they have the PoKos App open and active on their iPhone, IZUsand users of TBDs will receive in real-time all Broadcast Messages sentfrom the RPS. When they tap on the PoKos icon on their iPhone extendedhome screen, In-Zone Users will receive any and all pending PSMs, andusers of TBDs (TBDUs) will receive any and all pending BroadcastMessages that have been sent to their current location when they wereoffline and for which such Broadcast Messages are still active. Thesewill display on the PoKos Chat tab of the PoKos App in the same order inwhich the RPS sent them.

PoKos will display the first line of each unopened PSM and the user nameof the PSM sender; and the first line of each Broadcast Message and theBroadcaster Tag of such message. By tapping on the PSM, the recipientcan open and read the entire message. By tapping on the ignore or blockbuttons at the bottom of the PSM, the recipient can choose to ignorethis message or block future messages from this sender. A recipient cansimilarly choose to block or ignore a Broadcast Message, but cannotreply to a Broadcast Message. By tapping on the reply button at thebottom of the PSM, the recipient can choose to reply to all IZUs in apublic chat reply, while maintaining her anonymity, just as if she issending a new public chat message. By tapping on the message itself, therecipient can choose to reply in a private message only to the PSMsender, while retaining her anonymity, by sending from the currentactive alias or, if she elects not to hide her identity, by sending thereply with a message from her username.

If the sender of the PSM has sent the message using her PoKos username,by tapping on the buddy button at the bottom of a PSM, the recipient canchoose to designate the PSM sender as a “buddy”. The PoKos Appauto-populates the recipient's buddy list with the PoKos username ofsuch PSM sender. By touching and highlighting a Buddy name on the BuddyTab after receiving a PSM, a user can: (a) Send a private message to theBuddy by touching the radio button that reads, “Send a Message”; or (b)delete that Buddy from her Buddy list by tapping the radio button thatreads, “Delete”.

If the recipient has chosen to reply to a PSM in either a public chat ora private message, she types in her message in the reply data field, andthen taps the send button. The PoKos App will process the pertinent dataexecuting the reply and/or instructions given by the message recipient,and then auto-transmits over the wireless networks suchreply/instruction to the PoKos RPS.

RPSS at the PoKos RPS first sorts any instructions in the reply messageor instruction; stores ignore and/or block requests in the Message Bookor Broadcast Book, as the case may be, and in the Service Book, withappropriate cross-references to the user name and MAC address both ofthe original sender and of the recipient giving the ignore or blockrequest; and separately records in the Message Book or Broadcast Bookany public chat or private message reply of the recipient. If therecipient has selected a public chat reply, the RPSS treats the reply asa processed service message. If the recipient has chosen a privatemessage reply, the RPSS transmits the PM over the Wireless networks tothe original sender's iPhone device.

In the event that other IZUs receiving the original sender's first PSMwant to respond by public chat or private message, or the originalsender receiving the first recipient's reply by public message, want tofurther respond by public chat or private message, each or all of themmay do so, by repeating the steps above. In the event that any IZUreceives a private message from another IZU, she can reply by privatemessage by tapping the reply button, typing her message in the replydata field, and tapping the “send” button. The PoKos App thenauto-transmits over the Wireless Networks the reply and/or instructionsof this further message to the PoKos RPS

Marketing and Sales Functionality

For marketing and sales purposes and applications, a client applicationand the remote processing server can distribute marketing communicationsand other promotions to mobile nodes and other devices of targeted knownand unknown participants. The client application can provide users withredemption and purchasing capabilities deployed on the mobile node orother device to purchase goods and services. This feature can be usedwhere a business that is sponsoring an event wants to target itsmarketing messages to induce people in a specified region or withidentified interests to attend the sponsored event and to purchase thatbusiness' products. The client application and remote processing servercan contact both known and unknown people to advertise the event,provide promotions to these people to encourage participation, and allowredemption of coupons and purchasing of the sponsoring business'products through the system.

In order to provide these services a marketing client application can bedeployed on a mobile node or other device such as a computer. In someembodiments, the client application can include these features forservice users and sponsors can use a portal or web login to engage inmarketing and sales messaging. The remote processing server can also bemodified to provide these capabilities. A marketer can send a servicemessage such as a communication PSM containing promotional and othermarketing material (marketing service message) to targeted in-zonedevices and/or group member devices that are registered with the serviceby active service users. The marketing client application can be usedalong with the remote processing server or ad server to send a marketingservice message to targeted unknown people possessing a mobile node thatis included in the database of the remote processing server. The remoteprocessing server directs such marketing service messages to recipientmobile nodes and other devices based on the remote processing server'sdetection, retrieval and analysis of GPS data, filter data, and/or otheridentifying information of each recipient device. The information can becompiled using the active discovery or passive discovery along withregister described herein. The identifying information can include therecipient device's IP address and/or MAC address.

In some embodiments, the sponsor user may also elect to use filters todirect an outbound message to a targeted group of users. Filters can beprovided on the remote processing server to select a subset of users totarget for delivery of a message. Using filters, the sponsor mayidentify attributes of the users to whom they desire to send themessage. The filters are used to exclude matches based on other datathat is associated with a user. This data can be received by the userduring the registration process, for example, or learned based on theactions of the user. For example, a user expressing certain interestsbased on their participation in certain events or providing informationcan associate data with their identity information. This information canbe classified into attributes about the user that are used to classifyvarious users. These attributes may include professional, associational,personal, physical, social, athletic, recreational, hobby and/or othercharacteristics.

The client application can receive marketing service messages from theremote processing server. The remote processing server can send themarketing service messages to the recipient devices of a target audiencedesignated by the marketer. The client application can receive thesemarketing service messages in a variety of ways, some of which can beset by the user in the preferences of the client application. Theoptions include (i) receiving the marketing service message as atraditional text (or other inbound electronic communication, such as viae-mail), and displaying the content of such marketing service message onthe mobile node as a displayed message; (ii) alerting the user that amarketing service message has been received; or (iii) choosing from oneof the other PSM response options, including ignoring the sender and thecurrent promotion or other marketing service messages; or blocking themarketer and future promotions and/or other marketing service messagesfrom such marketer, other callers or even all callers sending promotionsand/or other marketing service messages. In each case, the marketingclient application and the remote processing server can send marketingservice messages as tagged messages, featuring a specific handle for themarketer or as a public message, depending on the preferences of thesender.

A marketing service message that is opened by a user can be displayed ona recipient device as a static, highlighted, flashing, or otherconspicuous icon, logo, picture, text or other means, and in the case ofmultiple coupons or promotions, could include a number, letter,percentage discount, or other means to designate the number, value orother measure of the coupon or promotion depending on the preferences ofthe sender. The client application allows a recipient to redeem a couponpromotion, or secure the benefit of any other promotion, by displayingon the mobile node the featured promotion icon, symbol or text. The usercan then present this to a merchant representative or request theredemption of the featured promotion by selecting the icon for thefeatured promotion on the display of the user's mobile node. The clientapplication can track the user's interaction with the promotionincluding when and where the promotion was open and used. This trackinginformation can be recorded on the mobile node and/or sent in a servicemessage to the remote processing server, to the marketer directly, or toanother server, such as the ad server. This tracking information canalso be used to determine when a promotion has been redeemed by arecipient so that the promotion is cannot be redeemed outside of themarketer's preferences. For example, a single use promotion cannot beredeemed multiple times.

A record of the number of featured promotions redeemed by each targetedrecipient, together with the balance, if any, of such featuredpromotions available to each targeted recipient can be maintained on aserver such as remote processing server, the marketer's server, or thead server. The server can use this promotion balance information to senda service message to the device of the targeted recipient, confirmingthe balance of the featured promotions available to such targetedrecipient. The client application can remove the promotion once thepromotion has been used. In some embodiments, the promotion balance canbe maintained locally on the client application and a confirmationservice message can be sent from the mobile node to the server toreconcile the balance and ensure the user is not attempting to redeemmore than the specified number of times.

In some embodiments, the client application in conjunction with theremote processing server can be used to purchase a product or servicefrom a merchant, vendor or marketer maintaining an account on the remoteprocessing server. The purchase can occur by accessing the seller'swebsite or by opening a marketing service message and then by selectingan icon or other representation on the mobile node to designate the itemand quantity being purchased. The client application can track theuser's interaction with the product or service, record information aboutthe interaction, and send a report regarding the interaction in aservice message to a server, such as the remote processing server. Theserver can then use this information about the interaction to determinethe total amount due for the purchased items (net of any promotions orother credits), and send a service message to mobile node to displaythrough the client application to the service user. The user canauthorize payment through the mobile node or the client applicationrunning on the mobile node. The payment authorization can includepressing a button or other icon to pay for and complete the purchase ofthe purchased items from the mobile node.

FIG. 13 illustrates a messaging diagram illustrating a marketing andsales function in accordance with certain embodiments. FIG. 13 includesa sponsor/administrator terminal 101, a sponsor portal/ad server 117,and a remote processing server 108. As indicated with the line, in someembodiments server 117 and remote content server 108 can be implementedon the same server or co-located in the same geographical area. FIG. 13illustrates messaging between sponsor/administrator terminal 101 andsponsor portal/ad server 117 as well as between sponsor portal/ad server117 and remote processing server 108. FIG. 14 illustrates a process flowof target marketing in accordance with certain embodiments.

Sponsor Bar (SPAR) Function and Communication Mechanism

In some embodiments, a broadcast message from a commercial sponsor oradvertising client can be designated a SPAR message. The SPAR can be adedicated field on the client application user interface wherecommercial advertisements and promotions are displayed. A SPAR messagecan be transmitted to one or more mobile nodes registered with theremote processing server. The remote processing server sends the SPARmessage based on whether a mobile node meets certain target criteria. Ifa mobile node meets this criteria, the remote processing serverpopulates the SPAR message with text and/or graphics as specified by theSPAR configuration page. Tapping an active SPAR message on the SPAR maycause further information related to the advertisement or promotion tobe displayed as in conjunction with a SPAR message. SPAR messages can betreated as Third-Party Broadcast Messages with communication themessages proceeding as describe above.

A portal can provide certain users (sponsors and administrators) theability to configure messages and any associated content as well as viewinformation relating to the delivery to and responses from users. Theportal can be reached by invoking internet browser application on anydevice with internet browsing capabilities such as a laptop, desktop orsmart-phone. For example, a user can access the sponsor portal byentering the URL for the sponsor portal into the browser or accessingthe PoKos home page by entering www.pokos.biz into the browser and thenclicking the sponsor portal icon. This provides the user a login pagefrom which the user can log in to the remote processing server. Thelogin page requests identification credentials from the user such as alogin name and password. The RPS receives the user credential andresolves the user to of the following categories of users: unknown,sponsor, administrator, or user.

If user credentials resolve to “unknown” or an invalid password issupplied for a known user name RPS informs user that the login/passwordcombination is invalid and prompts user to re-enter. A “forgot mypassword” link can be provided that when selected presents the user witha screen to enter their email address. After receiving an email address,password reset instructions are transmitted to that email address. Ifuser credentials resolve to “sponsor,” then the RPS invokes the sponsorfunctions and the user is taken to the sponsor dashboard page. If usercredentials resolve to “administrator”, then the RPS invokes theadministrator functions and the user is taken to the administrator page.If user credentials resolve to “user”, then the RPS redirects the userto the PoKos Nation website.

The RPS can send information through the portal interface to the user.This information is displayed in the browser where the user can interactwith the information and make selections. The information displayed caninclude a number of types of information such as sponsor information,event information, SPAR information, a library, and metric information.Sponsor information such sponsor name, account number, current status,and contact information can be displayed. An event list can be displayedthat shows sponsor's event names, dates, approval status(pending/approved/denied) and past/present/future. Additionalinformation can be displayed on a per event basis with eventconfiguration page being generated by the RPS for each event selected bythe user.

The RPS can display an event name, start date and time, end date andtime, location of event, broadcast notification location, approvalstatus (pending/approved/denied) and list of SPARS assigned to theevent. The locations can include a latitude, longitude and radius. Theuser is given options to add SPARS to the event and to save/apply orcancel changes. User clicks on a SPAR in the SPAR list. RPS displaysSPAR configuration page for that SPAR. User clicks on the “add SPAR”link. RPS displays user's SPAR list. User selects one or more SPARS fromSPAR list. RPS checks for location, date and time consistency betweenevent and SPAR. If the event and SPAR are consistent RPS adds SPAR toSPAR list for event. User clicks on save/apply changes. RPS returns userto sponsor dashboard.

If the event and SPAR are not consistent RPS displays user a warningmessage requiring a cancel or accept response. User clicks on cancelchanges. RPS returns user to sponsor dashboard page. For current orpassed events, a link can be provided to take the user to the relevantmetrics page for that event. A SPAR list can be displayed that showssponsor's SPAR names, dates, approval status (pending/approved/denied)and past/present/future. The user can be given an option to add newSPAR. The can be done through a SPAR configuration page for that SPAR,which allows the user to specify the SPAR.

RPS displays fields for SPAR name, text, image, spar configuration,location consisting of latitude, longitude and radius, start date andtime and end date and time. User is given option to save/apply or cancelchanges. User may enter or edit the name of the SPAR, or the textassociated with the SPAR. User may insert or replace the imageassociated with the SPAR. User may enter or edit the text and insert orreplace the image associated with the sparcon of the SPAR if used. Usermay enter or edit the location of the SPAR (latitude, longitude andradius). User may enter or edit the date, start time and end time of theSPAR. Clicking on an event name will take the user to the eventconfiguration page. User clicks on save/apply changes, or user clickscancel changes. RPS returns user to sponsor dashboard page. For eachapproved SPAR, a link will be provided to take the user to the relevantmetrics page for that SPAR. The “sparcon” can be a larger (full screen)promotional message or coupon that pops up when the client taps theappropriate SPAR. RPS displays a list of events that the SPAR isassigned to and the approval status (pending/approved/denied). This datacannot be edited by user.

A library page with sponsor resources can be provided through theportal. The library stores all data, text or graphics that the sponsorwishes to have associated with their accounts to be used in eventsand/or SPARs. A list of all images is displayed with thumbnails of theimage and their approval state. Clicking on a thumbnail will cause thefull image to be displayed. All text elements are displayed listing thefull text. The current approval status of each element is displayed.Each element may be modified or deleted. Modifying an element will allowa new graphic to be uploaded or new text to be entered. User clicks onsave/apply changes.

User may cancel the changes by clicking on cancel changes. Changes areremoved and user is taken to the main library screen. Text and graphicselements may be added. User clicks on “add new graphic”. A dialog box isdisplayed which allows the user to browse to a file on their local filesystem and upload the desired image. User clicks on “add new text”. Atext box is displayed which allows the user to enter new text. Anychange, or new graphics or text is placed in the pending state andfollows the approval process.

A metrics page that displays sponsor metrics can also be providedthrough the portal. Metrics are presented for all currently active orpast SPARs and Events. Each current or past event is listed. Selectingan event brings up the metrics for that event and shall contain a chatlog of all chat that occurred as part of the event, controls to view andparticipate in the live event chat, current number of participants andnumber of participants who have left the event. Each current or pastSPAR is listed. Selecting a SPAR brings up the metrics for that SPAR andshall contain, per geographic area, the number of times the SPAR wasdisplayed on a device and the number of times the SPAR was selected todisplay the SPAR message.

When new information is entered into the Sponsor Portal the content issaved in the database. RPS sets the content state to “pending”. RPSsends a notification via email to PoKos administrators that new contentis awaiting approval. PoKos administrators follow the approval process.

An administrator has full edit ability to all sponsor fields.Information entered by an administrator is automatically saved in theapproved state. Administrator page displays the sponsor list link.Administrator clicks on the sponsor list link and is taken to thesponsor list. Sponsor list displays all registered sponsors.Administrator clicks on a sponsor and is taken to the sponsor dashboardpage. Sponsor list displays buttons to add and remove sponsors.Administrator clicks add sponsor and is taken to a blank sponsordashboard. Administrator selects a sponsor and clicks remove sponsor. Aconfirmation screen and warning is displayed. When administratorprovides a positive response to the confirmation warning the sponsor isremoved from the sponsor list. All data associated with the sponsorincluding library, events and SPARs is removed from the database

Administrator clicks on the event list link and is taken to the eventlist. Event list displays all registered events and associated sponsors.Administrator clicks on an event and is taken to the event configurationpage for that event. Event list displays buttons to add and removeevents. Administrator clicks add event and is taken to a blank eventconfiguration page for that event. Administrator selects an event andclicks remove event. After Administrator provides positive response toconfirmation message the event is removed from the event list.

Administrator clicks on the SPAR message list link and is taken to theSPAR message list. SPAR message list displays all registered SPARmessages and associated sponsors. Administrator clicks on a SPAR messageand is taken to the SPAR Configuration page for that SPAR message. SPARmessage list displays buttons to add and remove SPAR messages.Administrator clicks add SPAR message and is taken to a blank SPARconfiguration page for that SPAR message. Administrator selects a SPARmessage and clicks remove SPAR message. After Administrator providespositive response to confirmation message the SPAR message is removedfrom the SPAR message list.

Administrator clicks on the approval pending link and is taken to theapprovals pending list. The approvals pending list contains the list ofall events and SPAR messages that sponsors have changed and left in thepending state along with options for the administrator to approve orreject the changes. Approval results in the event or SPAR message statechanging to approved and an email to that effect being sent to thesponsor. Rejection results in the event or SPAR message state changingto rejected and an email to that effect being sent to the sponsor.

In some embodiments, the disclosed communication methods enable a numberof new wireless and other device communication methods, through (1) newprocesses to detect unknown people and unknown wireless and otherdevices with attributes lying within specified parameters, (2) newprocesses to enable a wireless device user and others to direct atargeted message or other communication to the users of such unknownwireless and other devices, (3) new processes to assure the relativeprivacy of the messages and communications, (4) new processes to assurean expected privacy level of the devices, (5) new processes to assureexpected anonymity of the device users of both the outbound and inboundmessages and communications, (6) through the combination of suchprocesses and other processes, a new process to enable, control andmanage enable directed targeted two-way communications from, between andamong unknown people and unknown devices temporarily, frequently orregularly in a certain location or different locations, and/or betweenor over selectable and variable distances (or even without regard todistance), and roaming communications between such people and devices asthey move between locations, (7) through the combination of suchprocesses, a new process to enable outbound communications from and towireless and other devices that are directed in real-time to unknownpeople and sent beyond one or more known fixed endpoints, i.e., tospecifically include one or more unknown devices, (8) through thecombination of such processes, a new process to enable real-time directand targeted communications among wireless and other devices beyond oneor more known fixed endpoints, and (9) through the combination of suchprocesses, to launch a new era of social messaging, wirelesscommunications, and telecommunications that brings people together inperson, rather than the predominant isolating consequences oftraditional social media and electronic communications and networks.

In some embodiments, methods and systems enable new marketing and salesmethods to and from wireless and other devices, through: (10) targetedmarketing to known people and devices, (11) through the combination ofprocesses referenced in steps 1-10 above, targeted marketing to unknownpeople and unknown devices located within specified geographic rangesand distances, and/or to devices whose holders possess other attributesselected by the user (such unknown people and unknown devices, togetherwith known people and devices referenced in step 10 above, jointlyherein, a “Target Audience”), (12) through the combination of suchprocesses, the distribution to a Target Audience of promotions,including coupons and other marketing measures designed to stimulatedemand (jointly herein “Promotions”), (13) a new method for people toredeem Promotions, (14) together with the process referenced in thepreceding step 13, a new method for people to purchase a product orservice, (15) through the combination of one or more of such processes,a new method (herein, “Mobile-Screen Redemptions”) for the TargetAudience to redeem Promotions via wireless and other devices, and (16)through the combination of such processes, a new method (herein,“Mobile-Screen Purchases”) to stimulate and enable sales procurementfrom and by users of wireless and other devices (the methods andprocesses referenced in steps 10-16 above collectively herein “MarketingMethods”)

These embodiments enable a user to target marketing and sales programs,processes and techniques to people and devices (both unknown and known)located within specified geographic ranges and distances, and/or todevices whose holders possess other attributes selected by the user. Insome embodiments, mobile, wireless and other devices communicate whereneither the device originating the communication (a “Sending Device”)nor its user (jointly with the Sending Device, a “Sender”) possesses orknows the phone number, email address, instant messaging screen name,alias or other contact information (such phone number, etc., herein,“Contact Information”) of the specific intended recipient device(s) (a“Recipient Device” or “Recipient Devices”) or its user (jointly with aRecipient Device, a “Recipient” or “Recipients”). The communication maynot be dependent upon the Sender's or Recipient's membership in or useof a pre-existing or ad hoc electronic or digital: group, community ornetwork; blog, micro-blog, or bulletin board; or single or multi-mediadata feed. Sender and Receiver each can elect the desired level ofprivacy and anonymity for their communications.

In certain embodiments, the Sender can identify the specific Recipientusing one or more intended attributes, such as individuals or devicesthat it can see, detect or identify, contain or are associated with aspecific unique device identifier, unique software or firmwareidentifier code, internet protocol address or domain information,machine access control address, are located at a specific geographiclocation, are located within a given range and/or bearing of a specificgeographic location, are located in a specific or general geographiclocation, region or area, possess or contain certain professional,associational, personal, physical, social, athletic, recreational, hobbyand/or other interests and attributes, and/or possess or contain two ormore of these Recipient identifying codes. Further, the method andsystem can include where devices can engage in real-time in direct andtargeted communications beyond one or more known fixed endpoints,without regard to or limitation by static or dynamic location orattribute of either Sender or Recipient.

In addition, the method and system can include where Sender andRecipient can select and assure the relative and/or expected privacy andanonymity of their communications. Further, the method and system caninclude where a Sender can communicate directly with a Recipient whomshe can see but does not know. In addition, the method and system caninclude where a Sender can point her device at an intended Recipient andcommunicate directly and privately with that Recipient, without use ofthe Recipient's Contact Information. Further, the method and system caninclude where communications among Sender and Recipient(s) previouslyunknown to each other bring people together in person. Further, themethod and system can include where an entity or person provides,arranges to provide, sells or distributes such communications as aproduct or service or as part of a product or service.

In some embodiments, the method and system can include where a Sendercan broadcast, stream, transmit, distribute, send, or otherwise makeavailable for access or download (jointly herein, “Broadcast”) to or bya Recipient data, music, video, and/or multimedia files and content.Additionally, the method and system of can include where a Sender canBroadcast news, entertainment, educational and informational materials,business and scientific material and other data, and other content ofany and every kind or description, to a Recipient or groups ofRecipients without use of the Recipient's Contact Information. Further,the method and system can include where an entity or person provides,arranges to provide, sells or distributes such Broadcasts as a productor service or as part of a product or service. In addition, the methodand system can include where a Sender can direct targeted marketingcommunications to known people and devices (“Known Recipients”).Further, the method and system of can include where a Sender can directtargeted marketing to unknown Recipients (“Unknown Recipients”). Inaddition, the method and system of can include where a Sender can sendand distribute to Known Recipients and/or Unknown Recipients (jointlyherein, a “Target Audience”) promotions, including coupons and othermarketing measures designed to stimulate demand (jointly herein“Promotions”). Further, the method and system of can include where aSender can provide/furnish a new method for a Target Audience to redeemPromotions.

In addition, the method and system can include where a Sender canprovide/furnish a new method for a Target Audience to purchase productsor services from the Sender. Additionally, the method and system caninclude where a Sender can provide/furnish a new method for a TargetAudience to redeem Promotions via mobile, wireless and other devices.Further, the method and system can include where a Sender canprovide/furnish a new method to stimulate demand and enable salesprocurement from and by a Target Audience. Additionally, the method andsystem can include where an entity or person provides, arranges toprovide, sells or distributes such communications, broadcasts,redemptions, purchasing and procurement, and/or marketing and demandstimulation as a product or service or as part of a product or service.

Although the present disclosure has been described and illustrated inthe foregoing example embodiments, it is understood that the presentdisclosure has been made only by way of example, and that numerouschanges in the details of implementation of the disclosure may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, which islimited only by the claims which follow. Other embodiments are withinthe following claims. For example, the remote processing server can beco-located with a device.

1. A method of selectively communicating with one or more other deviceswhose identification information is unknown, the method comprising:launching a client application on a device (the “sending device”),wherein the client application enables communication with other deviceswhose identification information is unknown; locating other devices in ageographical zone defined with reference to the sending device;obtaining identification information regarding the other devices locatedin the defined geographical zone; compiling the identificationinformation regarding the other devices located in the definedgeographical zone to enable selection of at least one device to initiatecommunication using service messages; displaying a selection of the atleast one device from the compiled identification information of theother devices located in the defined geographical zone; enabling privacypreferences for the sending device, wherein the privacy preferencesenable the device to send variable identification information to the atleast one other device; enabling the client application on the sendingdevice to specify whether a service message is a private servicemessage, wherein the private service message is accessible only to theat least one other device; and sending the message from the sendingdevice and delivering it, using such variable identificationinformation, to the at least one other device (herein, the ‘recipientdevice’), where either of the following conditions is also satisfied:(a) the contact information (e.g., email address; IM screen name; socialmedia or Internet screen name, handle, alias, or avatar; phone number;MAC address; IP address) (collectively herein “Contact Information”) ofthe recipient device is not previously known to any of: the sendingdevice, its users, or any business, social or communications network towhich the sending device or any of its users is a member; or (b) theservice message is delivered from the sending device using such variableidentification information, and without using email, instant messaging(IM), text messaging, telephony or any other communications protocol ortechnique based on fixed endpoints where any of such Contact Informationis known to any of: the sending device, any of its users, or anybusiness, social or communications network of which the sending deviceor any of its users is a member.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: communicating with a remote processing server (‘server’)from the sending device to locate the other devices within the definedgeographical zone based on at least one of location coordinates of thedevice procured from location-technologies such as the globalpositioning system (GPS), cellular telephone towers, and mobile-locationtechnologies; geographic location (e.g., physical street address; postalcode; neighborhood or community; building or business name; local, stateor province, regional, national, continental, trans-national or globalarea); topographical data (e.g., height relative to sea-level); anddirectional and spatial data (e.g., compass and three-dimensionaldirectional bearings), as procured from active memory, other clientapplications or databases on the such other devices; receivinginformation regarding the other devices located in the definedgeographical zone from the server; and sending the service message tothe server, which sends the service message to the selected at least oneother device.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting,at the client application on the first device, a search by a secondclient application on a second device; sending from the clientapplication on the first device to the second client variableidentification information comprising at least one of direction,location, unique device identification number or identifier, deviceserial number, software ID, firmware ID, user name or identifier code,one or more attributes of a user of the sending device (such as at leastone of the user's professional, associational, personal, physical,social, athletic, recreational, hobby and other interests andattributes), or any other data associated with the device or its user,that the second client application compiles; and receiving a messagefrom the second device.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprisingreceiving at the client application of at least one device at least onetargeted marketing or other promotional message based on variableidentification information, wherein the identification informationcomprises at least one of direction, location, unique deviceidentification number or identifier, device serial number, software ID,firmware ID, user name or identifier code, one or more attributes of auser of the device, or any other data associated with the device or itsuser.
 5. A method of selectively communicating with one or more otherdevices whose identification information is unknown, the methodcomprising: launching a client application on a device (‘sendingdevice’), wherein the client application enables communication withother devices whose identification information is unknown; identifyingother devices based on selected criteria specified in the clientapplication; receiving information regarding the other devicespossessing the selected criteria; compiling the information regardingthe other devices possessing the selected criteria; displaying aselection from the compiled information of at least one other devicepossessing the selected criteria; enabling privacy preferences for thesending device, wherein the privacy preferences enable the device toprovide variable identification information to the at least one otherdevice; enabling the client application on the sending device to specifywhether a message is a private message, wherein the private message isaccessible only to the selected at least one other device; and sendingthe message from the device to the at least one other device, usingsending the service message from the sending device and delivering it,using variable identification information, to the at least one otherdevice (herein, the ‘recipient device’), where either of the followingconditions is also satisfied: (a) the contact information (e.g., emailaddress; IM screen name; social media or Internet screen name, handle,alias, or avatar; phone number; MAC address; IP address) (collectivelyherein “Contact Information”) of the recipient device is not previouslyknown to any of: the sending device, its users, or any business. socialor communications network to which the sending device or any of itsusers is a member; or (b) the service message is delivered from thesending device using such variable identification information, andwithout using email, instant messaging (IM), text messaging, telephonyor any other communications protocol or technique based on fixedendpoints where any of such Contact Information is known to any of: thesending device, any of its users, or any business, social orcommunications network of which the sending device or any of its usersis a member.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the device is at leastone of a mobile phone, a landline phone, a computer, an Internetprotocol enabled phone, a broadcast or cable-enabled television, anInternet enabled television, and a video game system, wherein the clientapplication is implemented in at least one of hardware, firmware, andsoftware, and wherein variable identification information comprisesdefault, specified or random criteria, such as at least one ofdirection, location, unique device identification number or identifier,device serial number, software ID, firmware ID, user name or identifiercode, one or more attributes of a user of the device (such as at leastone of the user's professional, associational, personal, physical,social, athletic, recreational, hobby and other interests andattributes), or any other data associated with the device or its user.7. The method of claim 5, further comprising: communicating with aremote processing server from the client application to identify theother devices based on selected criteria, wherein the selected criteriacomprises location information comprising a geographical zone definedwith reference to the device, wherein the defined geographical zone isbased on at least one of location coordinates of the device procuredfrom location-technologies such as the global positioning system (GPS),cellular telephone towers, and mobile-location technologies; geographiclocation (e.g., physical street address; postal code; neighborhood orcommunity; building or business name; local, state or province,regional, national, continental, trans-national or global area);topographical data (e.g., height relative to sea-level); and directionaland spatial data (e.g., compass and three-dimensional directionalbearings), as procured from active memory, other client applications ordatabases on the such other devices; receiving information regarding theother devices located in the defined geographical zone from the remoteprocessing server; and sending the message to the remote processingserver, which sends the message to the selected at least one otherdevice.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein identifying by the clientapplication is performed using cellular, Bluetooth, infrared, Near-FieldCommunications (NFC), Wi-Fi technologies and other communicationsprotocols supported by the device, and wherein the message istransmitted using at least one of Bluetooth, infrared, NFC, Wi-Fi,cellular technologies and other communications protocols supported bythe device.
 9. The method of claim 5, further comprising: detecting, atthe client application on the first device, a search by a second clientapplication on a second device; sending from the client application onthe first device to the second client application variableidentification information comprised of default, specified or randomcriteria, such at least one of direction, location, unique deviceidentification number or identifier, device serial number, software ID,firmware ID, user name or identifier code, one or more attributes of auser of the sending device (such as at least one of the user'sprofessional, associational, personal, physical, social, athletic,recreational, hobby, and other interests and attributes), or any otherdata associated with the device or its user, that the second clientapplication compiles; and receiving a message from the second device.10. The method of claim 5, wherein the message comprises at least one ofmessage settings, message information, and content information, andwherein the content information comprises at least one of voice, text,image, data, and video.
 11. The method of claim 5, further comprisingreceiving at the client application at least one targeted marketing orother promotional message based on client application information,wherein the client application is implemented in at least one ofhardware, firmware, and software, and wherein variable identificationinformation comprises default, specified or random criteria, such as atleast one of direction, location, unique device identification number oridentifier, device serial number, software ID, firmware ID, user name oridentifier code, one or more attributes of a user of the device (such asat least one of the user's professional, associational, personal,physical, social, athletic, recreational, hobby and other interests andattributes), or any other data associated with the device or its user.12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one targeted marketingor other promotional message comprises a promotion that is accessible orredeemable using the client application.
 13. A device for selectivelycommunicating with one or more other devices whose identificationinformation is unknown, the device comprising: an interface that isconfigured to communicate with the one or more other devices; a clientapplication that is configured to communicate with the interface tosearch for at least one of the one or more other devices based onselected criteria specified in the client application and to compileinformation obtained from the one or more other devices; such clientapplication further configured to send a message to one or more otherdevices selected from the compiled information, and to enable privacypreferences for the device, wherein the privacy preferences enable thedevice to provide variable identification information to the at leastone other device as well as to enable the client application to specifywhether a message is a private message, wherein the private message isaccessible only to the selected at least one other device; and suchclient application is further configured to deliver such messages, usingvariable identification information, to the at least one other device(herein, the ‘recipient device’), where either of the followingconditions is also satisfied: (a) the contact information (e.g., emailaddress; IM screen name; social media or Internet screen name, handle,alias, or avatar; phone number; MAC address; IP address) (collectivelyherein “Contact Information”) of the recipient device is not previouslyknown to any of: the sending device, its users, or any business, socialor communications network to which the sending device or any of itsusers is a member; or (b) the service message is delivered from thesending device using such variable identification information, andwithout using email, instant messaging (IM), text messaging, telephonyor any other communications protocol or technique based on fixedendpoints where any of such Contact Information is known to any of: thesending device, any of its users, or any business, social orcommunications network of which the sending device or any of its usersis a member.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the device is at leastone of a mobile phone, a landline phone, a computer, an Internetprotocol enabled phone, an Internet enabled television, and a video gamesystem, wherein the client application is implemented in at least one ofhardware, firmware, and software, and wherein variable identificationinformation comprises default, specified or random criteria, such as atleast one of direction, location, unique device identification number oridentifier, device serial number, software ID, firmware ID, user name oridentifier code, one or more attributes of a user of the device (such asat least one of the user's professional, associational, personal,physical, social, athletic, recreational, hobby and other interests andattributes), or any other data associated with the device or its user.15. The device of claim 13, wherein the interface is configured tocommunicate with a remote processing server that searches for otherdevices based on selected criteria, wherein the selected criteriacomprises location information comprising a geographical zone definedwith to the first device, wherein the defined geographical zone is basedon at least one of location coordinates of the device procured fromlocation-technologies such as the global positioning system (GPS),cellular telephone towers, and mobile-location technologies; geographiclocation (e.g., physical street address; postal code; neighborhood orcommunity; building or business name; local, state or province,regional, national, continental, trans-national or global area);topographical data (e.g., height relative to sea-level); and directionaland spatial data (e.g., compass and three-dimensional directionalbearings), as procured from active memory, other client applications ordatabases on the such other devices.
 16. The device of claim 13, whereinthe interface is configured to search and communicate using at least oneof cellular, Bluetooth, infrared, Near-Field Communications (NFC), Wi-Fitechnologies and other communications protocols supported by the device.17. The device of claim 13, wherein the client application is configuredto detect a search by a second client application on a second device,and send to the second client application information comprised ofdefault, specified or random criteria, such as at least one ofdirection, location, unique device identification number or identifier,device serial number, software ID, firmware ID, user name or identifiercode, one or more attributes of a user of the first device (such as atleast one of the user's professional, associational, personal, physical,social, athletic, recreational, hobby and other interests andattributes), or any other data associated with the device or its user.18. The device of claim 13, wherein the message comprises at least oneof message settings, message information, and content information, andwherein the content information comprises at least one of voice, text,image, data, and video.
 19. The device of claim 13, wherein the clientapplication is configured to receive at least one targeted marketing orother promotional message based on information comprised of default,specified or random criteria, such as at least one of device locationinformation and client application information comprising at least oneof direction, location, unique device identification number oridentifier, device serial number, software ID, firmware ID, user name oridentifier code, one or more attributes of a user of the device (such asat least one of the user's professional, associational, personal,physical, social, athletic, recreational, hobby and other interests andattributes), or any other data associated with the device or its user.20. The device of claim 19, wherein the at least one targeted marketingor other promotional message comprises a promotion that is accessible orredeemable through the client application.